Engine



,My 2l, 1935- J. w. KINNucAN 2,001,913

` l ENGINE Filed March 3, 1932 'ji Z j INVENTOR.

@mes Wl'naan ATTORNEY.

Patented May 2l, 193g l, i ENGINE l James W. Kinnucan, Detroit. Mich., aligner to Continental Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mieli., a corporation of Virginia Application March s, 1932, sei-isi' No. 560.417

is claims. (ci. 12a-191) This invention relates to internal combustion engines and refers more particularly to the gen-` eral class of engines known as sleeve valve engines as distinguished from poppet valve engines.

My invention relates particularly to engines of the air cooled type but is not necessarily limited thereto.

Heretofore it has been customary to provide a cylinder head of the re-entrant type for sleeve valve engines, whereby to provide a sleeve pocket for shieldingy the upper or outer ends of the sleeve or sleeves. In such constructions the spark plug is located in the re-entrant portion ofthe cylinder head where it is not exposed `to adequate cooling. Furthermore such usual location places the spark plug in the hottest part of the combustion chamber giving rise to diiilculties from plug carbonization, overheating, and engine failure. Such disadvantages are of particular sig- 'nicance `in air cooled sleeve valve enginessuch as may be used for aircraft or other purposes.

Itl is an object of my invention to overcome the aforesaid diillculties by the provision of a cylinder head especially adapted for air cooled sleeve valve engines, wherein I have avoided the usual recessed seat for the spark plug.

A further object of my invention resides in the provision of a cylinder head constructed to locate one or more spark pluugs in the combustion chamber location which is usually occupied by the sleeve pocket, such location being the coolest part of the combustion chamber.

Further objects consist in the provision of an engine of the aforesaid types wherein an' improved sccuring action of the gases is obtained for the spark plug points from the swirling motion of the gases in the combustion chamber.

By reason ci my improvements, the general perfomance and reliability of the ingine is improved, the engine idles better, and the spark plugs are maintained cooler and more efficient.

A still further object of my invention resides in the `provision of an improved combustion chamber for engines.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as `this specification progresses, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation view through a typical' cylinder and cylinder head of the engine. Flg. 2 is a-sectional plan view along the line 2-2 or Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the cylinder head.

In the drawing reference character A represents a typical cylinder of the engine and in the embodiment shown the cylinder I0 of the engine is subjected to s stream of cooling air represented by arrows Il, in Figs. l and 3 such as is customary for example in engines used in connection with aircraft or other purposes. The cylinder I0 is provided with cooling fins I2 and is also formed with one or more intakel passages I2 for conducting the usual fuel mixture from intake manifold Il to the various cylinder intake ports I5. Cylinder I0 is also provided with one 'or more exhaust ports i6 for conducting exhaust gases to the cylinder exhaust passage Il andthence to the exhaust manifold I8.

Associated with cylinder I0 for controlling the intake and exhaust ports I5 and I6 is the sleeve valve means I9, and for purposes of illustration I haveshown a single sleeve valve of the Vwell known Burt-McCollum type in which sleeve intake' and exhaust ports 20 and 2l respectively are adapted to cooperate with the corresponding cyiinder ports in order to control the admission and exhaust of the gases to and from the combustion chamber. The sleeve valve I 9 is adapted for combined reciprocating and oscillating movement in a manner well known'in the art, and since the particular type of sleeve movement is not a part of this invention I have not illustrated such details. Furthermore, it should be understood that any form of sleeve valve or like means may be provided within the scope of invention.

Seated on the upper or outer face of cylinder I0 is a cylinder head structure B preferably having an outer substantially fiat iloor 22 from which a plurality of cooling tins 22 extend outwardly for exposure to the air stream. Y Y

A piston 24 is operably associated with the cylinder and preferably is fitted for movement within the sleeve valve I9, the usual connecting rod 25 extending to the crankshaft (not shown) I preferdbly leave the outer portion or end of sleeve valve Il exposed to the combustion chamber C whereby to provide an annular combustion chamber zone 26 adjacent the outer end of the cylinder walls. This zone 26 is thus located remotely from the cylinder axis X-X and is the coolest portion of the combustionjchamber since it is located adjacent the walls of the cylinder I0. The cylinder head B is formed with one or more openings 21 adapted to receive "a spark plug 28, the openings 21 being located adjacent zone 26 whereby to position the spark plug terminals v29 spark plugs n as shown in the illustration, these plugs being substantially diametrically positioned so that their terminals 29 are located for firing of cylinder I during its compressing stroke the gaseous fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, which has been induced to swirl around the axis X--X, will continue to swirl in said zone 26, the spark plug terminals 29 are thus located in a very favorable position to obtain a good scouring action of these terminals and also to advantageously cool the terminals.

The location of the spark plug is determined largely by the shape and construction of the combustion chamber, and by the' character of the fuel mixture in said combustion chamber. It is desirable in some instances to locate the terminals of the spark plug in that portion of the .combustion chamber where the fuel mixture is relatively rich, and in engines where the fuel mixture is swirling by reason of the swirling motion induced thereto by the sleeve valve means, it is found that satisfactory results are obtained by locating said spark plugs substantially as shown in the accompanying drawing.

In engines of the sleeve valve type and in particular engines of the single sleeve valve combined movement type, the sleeve intake ports are constructed for cooperative operation with the cylinder intake ports, whereby to provide open.

" it is not unusual to swirl the fuel mixture at 10,000 R. P. M. or higher, though swirls of 3,000 to 8,000 R. P. M. are usually employed, this swirl particularly influencing the character of combustible fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. swirling of the fuel mixture at these velocities is readily obtained in sleeve valve engines because of the inherent tendency of such engines to induce this swirl, this swirl tendency being more pronounced in sleeve valve engines o! the combined movement type.

As a further feature of my invention I preferably construct either the piston, or cylinder head, or both in the illustrated embodiment, to provide a central combustion chamber zone of relatively small clearance axially of the cylinder. Thus the 'cylinder head B is formed with a central inwardly in dotted lines the outermost position of the piston travel which forms the central zone 32 of relatively small clearance as compared with the cylinder head and piston clearance of zone 26. 'Ihe provision of the restricted zone 32 facilitates the swirling action of the gases in the annular zone t closing one end'of said cylinder,.a piston oper- 26 and generally improves the engine performance.

Various changes and modifications .of my invention will be apparent from my disclosure and it is not my intention to limit my invention to the specific combination and arrangement of parts illustrated.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl in one direction about the cylinder axis, a cylinder head structure closing one end of said cylinder and having heat radiating ns extending across the outer face of the head structure, a piston operable within said cylinder, and a spark plug having its terminals positioned radially inwardly and adjacent the outer end of the wall of said cylinder, said spark plug having its end portion remote from its spark terminals projecting outwardly substantially axially of the cylinder 'from said cylinder head structure int.) a space intermediate two of said ns.

2. In an engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl in one direction about the cylinder axis, a cylinder head closing said cylinder and forming an annular combustion zone with said cylinder radially inwardly and adjacent the outer end of the wall of said cylinder, and a spark plug having its terminals positioned at said zone.

3. In an engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl in one direction about the cylinder axis, a cylinder head closing said cylinder and forming an annular combustion zone with said cylinder radially inwardly and adjacent the outer end of the wall of said cylinder, and a spark plug having its terminals positioned at said zone, said sleeve valve means extending into said zone.

4. In an engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl in one direction about the cylinder axis, a cylinder head closing said cylinder and forming an annular combustion zone within said cylinder adjacent the outer end of the wall of said cylinder, and a spark plug having its terminals positioned at said zone, said sleeve valve means comprising a single sleeve valve having its upper edge exposed to said zone.

5. In an engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to `swirl in one direction about the cylinder axis, a cylinder head closing said cylinder and forming an annular combustion zone within said cylinder adjacent the outer end of the wall of said cylinder, and a pair of spark plugs having terminals positioned at said zone and adapted to re an explosive mixture at substantially diametrical points of said zone.

6. In an engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to inducev the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl in one direction about the cylinder axis', a cylinder head closing said cylinder and forming an annular combustion zone within said cylinder adjacent the outer end of the wall of said cylinder, and a spark plug having its tei'-` minals positioned to be swept by gas swirl around said zone.

.7. In an engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head able within said cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl in one direction about the cylinder axis.

said piston and cylinder head together forming a combustion chamber within the cylinder having a central zone of relatively small clearance and an outer zone valve of relatively large clearance, said sleeve means extending into said outer zone, and a spark plug at said last zone.

8. In an engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head closing one end of said cylinder, a piston operable within said cylinder, sleeve valve means of the combined movement type associated with said cylinder, said piston and cylinder head together forming a combustion chamber within the cylinder having a central zone of relatively small clearance, and an outer zone adjacent the outer end of the cylinder walls of relatively large clearance, said sleeve valve means having an outer edge terminating in said outer zone.

9. In an engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head closing one end of said cylinder, a piston operable within said cylinder, sleeve valve means of the combined movement type associated with said cylinder, said piston and cylinder head together forming a combustion chamber within the cylinder having a centralA zone of relatively small clearance, and an outer zone adjacent the outer end of the cylinder Walls of relatively large clearance, said outer zone `surrounding said inner zone, said sleeve valve means having an outer edge terminating in said outer zone.

10. In an engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head, a piston operable within the cylinder, sleeve valve means ofthe combined movement type associated with said cylinder, said piston having a central portion of its face relatively closely appreaching said cylinder head at its outermost position of travel, said piston and cylinder head forming an annular combustion `chamber zone around said piston adjacent the outer end of the cylinder walls face portion, said sleeve valve means terminating outwardly in said annular combustion chamber when` in its outermost position of travel.

l1. In an engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head, a piston operable within the cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl in one direction about the cylinder axis, said piston having a central portion of its face relatively closely approaching said cylinder head at its outermost'position of travel, said piston and cylinder head forming an annular combustion chamber zone within the cylinder and around said piston face central portion, and a spark plug at said annular zone.

l2. In an engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head, a piston operable within the cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl therein about the cylinder axis, said piston having a. central portion of its face relatively closely approaching said cylinder head at its outermost position of travel, said piston and cylinder^ head forming an annular combustion chamber zone within the cylinder and around said piston face portion,- and a spark plug at said annular zone, said sleevevalve means extending into said zone.

13. In an engine,. a cylinder, a cylinder head, a. piston operable within the cylinder, sleeve valve means associated witln said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl therein about the cylinder axis, said piston having a central portion of its face relatively closely approaching said cylinder head at its outermost position of travel, said piston and cylinder head formig an annular combustion chamber zone within the cylinder and around said piston face portion, and a spark plug at said annular zone, said sleeve valve means terminating in said zone.

14. In an engine of the 'air cooled type, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl therein about the cylinder axis, a cylinder head closing said cylinder and provided with cooling fins projecting outwardly from the top thereof for exposure to an air stream, and a spark plug carried by the cylinder head, said spark plug having its terminals positioned adjacent the wall of said cylinder, said spark plug projecting outwardly from said cylinder head for exposure to said air stream flowing across the top of said cylinder head. i

15. In an engine of the air cooled type, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl therein in one direction about the cylinder axis, a cylinder head closing said cylinder and provided with cooling fins projecting outwardly therefrom for exposure to an air stream sweeping directly across said head in substantially a straight path, and a pair of spark plugs exposed to said air stream, said spark plugs being located remotely from the cylinder axis.

16. In an engine of the air cooled type, a cyl-l inder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl therein in one direction about the cylinder axis, a cylinder head closing said cylinder and provided with cooling ns projecting outwardly therefrom for exposure to an air stream sweeping directly across said head in substantially a straight path, and a pair of spark plugs exposed to said air stream, said spark plugs being located remotely from the cylinder axis, whereby their terminals are positioned adjacent the wall of said cylinder.

1'7. In an engine of the air cooled sleeve valve type, a cylinder, sleevevalve means within the cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder to swirl therein in one direction about the cylinder axis, a piston within said sleeve valve means, acylinder head closing said cylinder and forming with the piston and cylinder an annular combustion chamber zone Within the cylinder and adjacent the outer ends of the cylinder and sleeve valve means, the outer peripheral limits of said zone being defined by said cylinder walls, and a spark plug having its terminals positioned at said zone.

18. =In an engine of the air cooled sleeve valve type, a cylinder, sleeve valve means within the 'cylinder and acting to induce the fuel mixture introduced into vthe cylinder to swirl therein in one direction about the cylinder axis, a piston within said sleeve valve means, a cylinder head closing said cylinder and forming with the piston an'd cylinder an annular combustion chamber zone within the cylinder and adjacent the outer ends of the cylinder and sleeve valve means, the outer peripheral limits of said zone beingdefined by said cylinder walls, and a spark plug `having its terminals positioned at said zone, said piston relatively closely approaching said cylinder head at its central face portion with respect to the portion of its face forming said zone.

JAMES W. KINNUCAN. 

